Massive twists and turns amongst humour and cleverly-written lines is what Tauranga’s newest comedy-thriller oozes.

This month 16th Ave Theatre presents the New Zealand premiere of Accomplice, from August 15-30.

Director Ben Hambling said many won’t know the man behind Accomplice – Rupert Holmes – is a Tony Award-winning playwright and British-American musician and producer.

“If you know Escape, better known as ‘the Pina Colada song’ – he wrote and performed that.”

After opening on Broadway in April 1990, Accomplice had been performed in countries worldwide.

Hambling said it originally debuted on Broadway with Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander among the cast. “It’s been given so many rave reviews in America,” said Hambling.

The New York Times said it was: “A deliciously witty cocktail of a whodunit with a maniacally seamless plot where skullduggery emerges the winner!” while USA Today called it: “Part murder mystery, part sex farce and completely entertaining ... Suspenseful, charming and funny”.

Hambling said his version of Accomplice would delight as well as devilishly surprise.

The two-act, four-scene play is set in a renovated moorland mill house in 1970s England, with four main characters played by Tauranga residents Natalie Wright, Shaun Micheal, Katherine Knight and Ben Cain.

“I can’t tell you anything more [on the plot] because that would give everything away but I can tell you there’s lots of comedy and many twists and turns … The play moves along at quite a pace, so the audience will go from an ‘oh my gosh!’ moment to being blindsided the next,” said Hambling.

Another US review said: “A wonderful mix of sex, lies and secrets – it will be murder getting tickets!” So get your Tauranga show tickets today!

Tickets are adults $30, seniors with SuperGold card $27, plus booking fees at: www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/aug/accomplice or phone 0508 iTICKET (0508 484 253).